McVay Interns and Associates: 2013-2014

Hey, I'm Kaitlyn Anderson. I'm a sophomore at Hamline this year, and I don't know what I'm majoring in quite yet. One of the most rewarding and fun ways to help your community is to get involved in youth programs like McVay. I've worked with youth on mission trips and I've found it to be the most challenging but also the most worthwhile. I love music and I play guitar, piano, percussion, hand bells, and also like to sing. I like being creative and making things with my hands, and I'm hoping I'll get to do some of that this year at McVay.

My full name is Jenny Quetzalli Ayechit. I have a high interest in photography. I am a transfer student last spring semester from Saint Mary’s University, Winona. My middle name, “Quetzalli” is an Aztec name and it was originally my line name from the Co-Ed Fraternity that I was involved back at Saint Mary’s. I am currently a junior and majoring in Global Studies. This is will be my first year working with McVay Youth Program, but I’ve worked with couple youth programs in the past, such as YouthCARE as a Community Service Stars crew leader, and at KOM as a Youth Academic Support Coordinator. I have the abilities to pull the youth together and lead them to the successful goals. Lastly, I have a good sense of humor and very friendly..

Hi, my name is Yutong Bao. This is my third year at Hamline and my second year working with McVay! I am a math major with a focus on economics. I traveled alone to United States from China as an exchange student when I was 17 years old and now it’s my 4th year living in the U.S. I am very excited that I started to work with the McVay Youth Partnership since November 2012. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I enjoy playing lost of sports and I consider running as a part of my life. In my spare time, I like travelling, talking to people from all kinds of cultural backgrounds and listening to their stories. I used to take a 60-hour train ride from Chicago all the way to San Francisco! Working at McVay as a mentor is a great achievement for me in terms of being a role model to have positive impacts on others. At the same time, seeing the reflections from the youth, I am also more motivated. I am very proud of being a part of our McVay Staff team. Together, we learn from each other and make effort in making a better life for the youth. Go McVay!

Hi! My name is Courtney and I am a junior at Hamline this year, majoring in Biology. I am really excited for this opportunity to work for this program. I enjoy many sports and hanging outside by the lake that I live by. Watching movies are also a favorite past time of mine. In addition to sports, I am a huge crafts fan. I am always up for new experiences and am excited to working with the students and making a positive impact in their lives.

Hey there! My name is Emily and this is my third year at Hamline! I am an economics major with a minor in religion. This fall will be my first year working with McVay. I also work for Hamline’s undergraduate library and the department of Residential Life. In my free time I enjoy watching NBA games (I love the Portland Trail Blazers), reading, and hiking. I’m so excited to be a part of this program and see all of the wonderful things it accomplishes this year!

My name is Falhad. I will be a junior this fall and I am majoring in Chemistry.  I am so excited to be a part of the program this year officially. Last I volunteered with the program in the spring and I had a great time. I truly look forward to working with the youth and creating a fun educational environment. In my free time I enjoy listening to music, crafting, and hanging out with friends.

Hi my name is Sammie, I’m transferring from SPC. I plan on double majoring in Criminal Justice and Psychology. I used to be a part of Youth Voice now I'm about to be an intern. Yay! I have been working with youth for the past couple of years through SPNN, where I also volunteer at. I’m excited for the school year and what Hamline/McVay has in store for me.

Status: Sophomore, studying Political Science and Economics, with a Minor in Philosophy and Conflict Studies.

Interests: Oracle Reporter, Writing and Soccer

Future Aspirations: Law School, Conflict Resolutions and ICC. 

My name is Christian Kibler and I am an associate for McVay and I work mostly at Arlington. I enjoy playing soccer and I run track and field here at Hamline. This will be my third year with McVay. My favorite part of working for McVay is getting to build relationships with students and helping them in any way I can. I hope that in my future I will work as an adaptive physical education teacher or an occupational therapist in Minnesota schools.

Aloha, Lailoni Kusumoto here. My family is from Hawaii. I am a Senior majoring in Business Administration with a focus in Management and a minor in Non-profit Management.  I love all sports, being silly, arts and crafts, traveling, and spending time outdoors. I have enthusiasm and passion for working with youth and this is what has brought me to McVay. I have enjoyed connecting with many students at each of the current five sites and I look forward to making the newest site a place where kids can be themselves and have fun learning, playing or just hanging out. Aloha!

Art Associate

Hi my name is Tia Matthews and I am currently a junior at Hamline. I am majoring in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology. I am really excited to work at McVay and this is my first year working here!! I love to listen to music, play badminton and my favorite color is blue. I grew up in on the Eastside of Saint Paul and found a mentor at Central High School (St. Paul) by participating in the Upward Bound program. I love to work with kids and want to give back to the community by being the best mentor that I can be.

Jack Micholic is a junior at Hamline University and resides from Wausau, WI. Jack thoroughly enjoys participating in Track and Field, hunting, fishing, listening to music and hanging out with his friends. Jack recently returned from England where he studied Arthurian English. Jack is the Vice President for the Student Athletic Advisory Committee where he is able to connect with all of the athletes from Hamline University, and find opportunities to bring a sense of community to the campus. This is his first year with McVay.

Hey! My name is Robb Miller; I'm a senior at Hamline and major in Business Marketing. I play baseball for Hamline and enjoy listening to and making music, drawing, and being active. I am excited to work at McVay's program this year and be a positive role model for the youth.

Hey, I'm Deric Moffitt and am a sophomore student at Hamline University. I'm originally from Southbend, Indiana but I've been living in Saint Paul, Minnesota for quite a while now. I graduated from Harding High School. I like to play soccer and the guitar. I also run track and love to play basketball.

Hi, my name is Mai Moua. I was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota; whereas, my parents are from Laos. I am a proud Hmong American studying as a sophomore this year at Hamline. I have not yet to declare what I want to major in but I am thinking about majoring in psychology and possibly do a minor in sociology. Other than that, I'm really excited to become a part of McVay and am looking forward to working with the youths who I've heard are AMAZING.

Hello! My name is Nuuria Osman, I am currently a Sophomore at Hamline and this will be my first year with the McVay Youth Partnership. One day I hope to become either an elementary school art teacher or a therapist. Some things that I really enjoy doing in my spare time are painting and photography. I also love to play soccer and I enjoy canoeing and camping.

My name is Carlos Rivera and I am from Santa Ana, California. I come from a family of six. I am a first generation college student. I am deeply committed to the McVay program for various reasons close to my heart. Some of the reasons are because I love to give to communities that are not the cream of the crop. Also, I like to inspire people (youth) and be a shining example of what the worst of circumstances can produce through faith, mental toughness and the help of others. We are all in it together! 

Hey! My name is Gardea Roosevelt Simoke. I am from Liberia and, I’m currently in my 3rd year of undergrad while majoring in Biology and Chemistry. I have been working with McVay since Nov of 2012.

Hi, I'm Kristina. I'm a junior at Hamline this year studying Studio Art, Art History, Communication Studies, and International Journalism. 

I'm thrilled to be taking on the role of Art Associate with McVay this year. For me, art has been a life-long passion and I am excited to extend that passion to the McVay youth. Since art is no longer offered in St. Paul elementary schools, I feel that it is very important to give youth that artistic exposure, even if they are now beyond elementary level. The arts play a crucial crucial role in early development that many people seem to take for granted. The arts help develop imagination, creativity, motor function, and aid in the critical-thinking process. Art also serves as a type of therapy. It provides an outlet for youth to channel their emotions and express their feelings in a non-violent, individual, and productive way. Anyone can participate in the creation of art, no matter their strengths weaknesses, cognitive level, or physical abilities. This is the positive message I was to spread throughout McVay and create a fun, learning atmosphere. I look forward to seeing all of the kids from last year again, to meeting the new additions to McVay's family, and to a great semester!

Monica Taddei is a Senior at Hamline University.  She is majoring in Psychology in hopes of eventually obtaining her long time goal of a career as a Family and Marriage counselor.  Monica is the oldest sibling of five and the daughter of two awesome parents whom she looks up to. She is creative, plays the piano, loves sports and is always willing to try new things.  Monica is excited to be a part of McVay and enjoys helping children develop both academically and creatively.

I was born in Minneapolis and half of my life I grew up there. Ever since I was young I was always interested in sports and wanted to play sports. So now I play football, a little bit of soccer and basketball, a lot of volleyball, and very little tennis. I love food just as much as I love sports, if I could eat good food all day, I would definitely do it. I volunteered at Mcvay a couple times, and all the times that I had volunteered, I loved it. So I joined the Mcvay family. Now that I am part of the Mcvay family, I can join in on all the fun!

Hello my name is Kevin Xiao and I will be a Junior this upcoming year.  This will be my second year at McVay and I can’t wait for it to start up.  I love to play all sports and simply enjoy hanging out.  The best part of McVay is meeting all the kids and learning about who they are.  My goal of the year is to learn everyone’s name and to interact with each and every one of them.

Hi everyone, My name is Jean Xiong. I am a junior at Hamline University and my major is Criminal Justice. I have been part of the Mcvay team since spring 2012. I'm an intern and I work at all the sites.

Hiya! My name is Lydia Yahnke. This is my first year working with McVay and I am so incredibly excited to start this new adventure with the staff and youth! I am currently a Sophomore, double majoring in Communications and Political Science. I am also a Resident Advisor this year, so I have much to be thankful for and much to look forward to. In my free time, I like to talk baseball, be silly in singing classic rock tunes across campus with my friends, learn anything and everything about history, promote much Piper Pride, and spend quality time with the giraffes at the zoo.  I'll be looking forward to spending time with the youth to create a safe, empowering, and educational environment.

Hi Everyone! My name is Michelle Yang and this will be my second year at Hamline and working with McVay.  I have heard so many wonderful things about this program.  I'm very excited to be a part of the McVay Youth Partnership! I love working with kids, so I can't wait to meet them and have lots of fun together! On the other hand, during my spare time I enjoy going fishing, playing sports, and spending time with my family and youth group.